Crennel, 72, has been on the Texans' coaching staff under head coach Bill O'Brien since 2014. He was defensive coordinator from 2014 until 2016, before being promoted as assistant head coach. Crennel returned to the defensive coordinator role in 2017, when Mike Vrabel was hired to coach the Tennessee Titans.

The Texans defense struggled in 2019, allowing the fifth-most yards per game. The Texans also allowed the most yards per game in the playoffs, before being eliminated by the Kansas City Chiefs. Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes threw for 321 yards and five touchdowns to knock the Texans out of the playoffs in the divisional round matchup.

"It's all about evaluating, motivating and trying to put a good plan together."